J'Adore Dance

Asha

“I love movement,” says Asha Marshall, owner of dance inspired clothing line. “Dance is my life. I’m the happiest when I’m in class or performing. Since Asha has been able to hear music, she has been moving and interpreting it wherever she could find a spot to do so. From the young age of 3, she has been dancing in classes, studying in the areas of gymnastics, jazz, ballet and lyrical until she found her true love of hip hop. She has participated and placed in many hip hop competitions throughout Alberta and continues to train in various styles of dance by attending classes weekly and by taking any workshop or convention she can get her hands on.

Carrie

Ever since I was old enough to take dance class, I’ve been dancing. And I have loved every minute! Growing up in small town Alberta, I took dance in Thorsby and Breton, dancing competitively in lyrical, jazz, modern, and ballet. In high school, I also took class at the Edmonton School of Ballet and attended summer dance intensives in both Edmonton and Jasper which were all great experiences. In 2007, I moved to Edmonton to get my degree in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta and also became certified in personal training. I graduated in 2011 and continue to study and TA dance classes at the University. Currently, I dance with the Orchesis Modern Dance Group where I love performing and practicing contemporary jazz.

Celeste

There is one consistent goal that I carry throughout life ~ that is to enhance people's quality of life, in ways that I am able. I have often said 'If I have helped someone smile, or think - then I have done my job well.' I am very passionate about life on all levels. I have traveled and lived abroad in several countries and tried my hand at different sorts of activities and sport. An athlete by nature, I have trained and studied in everything from team sports, personal fitness instructing, capoeira, yoga, ocean kayaking, and dance - primarily belly dance.

My love of dance, music and movement are always present, and i love to challenge myself to always learn different ways to express myself through them.

Chantelle

Coming Soon!

Deanne

I got hooked on dancing at the age of four, and have never stopped. Ballet was my first love, and I danced with a small company for a while before switching to contemporary. An injury caused me to seek a different kind of education while I recuperated, and I became a registered massage therapist. After I had my first child, I found it hard to find time for myself, and for dance, so when I discovered J'Adore Dance, I was thrilled. My daughter and I Salsa Mama'd our way through her first year, and we returned for family classes after my son arrived. Naughty Hottie class became a particular passion for me, and now as a teacher, I love creating new routines every week for all the wonderful hotties who take my class.

Erin

My journey into yoga began approximately ten years ago when I started attending drop-in classes at a gym. A remarkable transformation took place, as my sedentary lifestyle and negative self-image gave way to improved physical and emotional health. After several years of practicing, I heeded the call to share yoga with others and enrolled in teacher training with Gaiatri Yoga, one of Western Canada's most respected yoga teacher training programs.

Hayley

Dance has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started dancing at the age of 3 and still dance competitively with my dance school in Breton, Alberta. I train in many forms of dance, including ballet, pointe, tap, musical theatre, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. As well, I teach ballet, tap and music & movement to children, ages 4-13. I also perform with a hip hop crew in Edmonton. Throughout the years, I have attended many dance workshops in Edmonton and elsewhere, including “The Pulse” in Las Vegas, with instructors that included Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio and Shane Sparks. I have been a recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, which have encouraged me to improve my dance skills.

Jeannie

Originally from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Jeannie Vandekerkhove was classically trained in her youth, later continuing her studies at Arts Umbrella and the Ballet BC Mentor Program. She has danced professionally in Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver, and has received opportunities to perform both nationally and internationally, for a variety of renowned choreographers and directors.

Jessica

J'Adore Dance Artistic Director, Edmonton Owner

As long as I can remember, I have loved to dance. At age 3, I took my first creative movement class and fell in love with the freedom of expression, the creativity, and the joy I felt while I danced. Dance was something that seemed so natural, so instinctual; it was my body's way of singing.

As I grew older, so did my passion for learning to move my body in new ways. I studied with different teachers and choreographers in the areas of Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, African, Latin, Belly Dance, and Folk Dance. I was in awe of what amazing athletes dancers were, strong and flexible. My love affair with dance continued to grow as I realized it balanced my mind, body, and spirit, unlike anything else I had ever experienced.

Jodie

Jodie Vandekerkhove is a professional artist with extensive training and education in the field of dance. She is a graduate from Simon Fraser University, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts-Dance Degree, a Dance Diploma from Grant MacEwan College Dance Program and her Elementary RAD Ballet Exam. Jodie’s training encompasses Western Canada/USA(Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton), New York and London, England: she is articulate, diverse, and always brings her personal growth into the studio. She has performed with Off Center Dance Company, Plan B Productions Company, Manifest Human Arts, Brain Webb Dance Company, Mile Zero Dance and various independent choreographers including Heidi Bunting, Nancy Sandercock, and Kathy Ochoa.

Laurel

Laurel Nikolai has taught music and dance to children and adults both internationally and in Edmonton. This includes teaching at international schools in Dubai U.A.E, Gstaad Switzerland and with Edmonton Public Schools. Laurel holds her Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta where she is an instructor in both undergraduate and graduate music and dance education classes. Laurel is an active clinician, presenting to teachers and working with children throughout Alberta and in the US. Laurel teaches early childhood music classes at the Child Study Centre at the U of A, developing a research based model for music and movement experiences for young children.

Liesa

J'Adore Dance Edmonton Studio Manager and Instructor

Liesa began dancing at the age of 3 at her mother’s studio. It was here that she first discovered her love of movement and dance. Liesa’s sister Vanessa and her niece Kiana also began dancing at the same young age, making three generations of dancers in the family! Liesa trained in many dance disciplines including Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Ballet, which remains her first love.

Mel S.

Music is my passion and using music to teach dance is my privilege. For this reason, I am so very grateful for the opportunity to teach the J'Adore Dance programs to moms and dads alike. I would like to think that I bring a wealth of music and dance experience to every class I teach.

I have studied music and dance since the age of three. My musical training has been predominately on the violin and piano although, I occasionally dabble on the cello and guitar. Musically, I am a published children's theory book author as well as a regular fiddle instructor and adjudicator at many camps and festivals throughout Alberta. My dance experience ranges from ballet to ballroom and also includes pole dancing for fitness, which I have been involved with since 2006.